Palestine Solidarity Contingent at USSF Opening March
Palestinians, other Arabs, American and international allies march together through hot streets of Atlanta. Palestine solidarity activists shared space, water, a bullhorn, and chants with prison abolitionists from Critical Resistance and Justice Now, in a true sign of creating a movement based on liberation for all.
"No more prisons... Shut 'em down! No more Apartheid... Shut it down!"
"Stop Sending our Tax Money Aiding the Israeli Apartheid"
Nahr al Bared {Palestine} Tent
AROC Collective Member, Sami, decorates the stage at the Palestine Tent with Palestinian and other Arab art, and cultural artifacts.
Literature & Photography Exhibits bring an educational atmosphere to the tent.
Participating Organizations Included:
MECA, Middle East Children's Alliance
American Friends Service Committee
CUPE, Canadian Union of Public Employees
Palestine Solidarity Network
AROC, Arab Resource & Organizing Center
Birthright Re-Plugged and Picture Balata
Palestine Education Project
Occupation 101
Left Turn Magazine
International Jewish Solidarity Network
Break the Silence Mural Project
Popular Palestinian Network
AMWAJ-- Arab Movement of Women Arising for Justice
Outside of the Palestine Tent:
At the USSF, solidarity activists were able to bring Palestinian resistance struggles for liberation and return to the forefront, partially through the Palestine Tent. Our prime location at the entrance to the main arena helped us to draw in those already invested in the work, as well as folks from other movements looking to learn more.
Opening Night at the Palestine Tent:
Folks from all different movements and communities, crowded into the Palestine Tent after Thursday night's plenary session to celebrate Palestinian resistance and draw connections to worldwide struggles. The tent filled past capacity as others stood outside in the rain to hear the performers and speakers.
Put up your ones for one struggle, put up your two's for Victory, put up your fist for resistance.
A packed house enjoys food and socializing at the Palestine Tent Opening
BAY AREA... AROC Collective Member, Rama, MC's opening night
Defining our own Solidarity:
Palestinian and Iraqi organizers and activists jump onto the stage in a moment of spontaneous celebration of Arab resistance against imperialism, singing a resistance ballad sung by Palestinians in Israeli prisons.
View Message on Solidarityfrom Palestine solidarity organizations, AROC, and other progressive movement builders.
On Stage:
- Ziad Abbas
- Manawel Issa Abdellal
- Mona El-Farra
- Hashmeya Muhsin Hussein
- Faleh Abood Umara
Arab Workshops:
Arab led workshops at the USSF included:
- History of US Imperialism in the Middle East/ South Asia
- Anti-Arab Racism and Islamaphobia
- Overcoming Barriers to Arab Movement Building
- Reproductive Barriers in Palestine/Israel
- New Afrikan/Black and Arab Unity in the US
AROC and AMWAJ hosted Gathering for Arabs at USSF:
Together with AMWAJ, Arab Movement of Women Arising for Justice, AROC co-hosted a gathering to celebrate the strength of Arabs at the US Social Forum. Participants gave messages of hope for movement building, told jokes, and represented their home countries, all while sharing food in the Palestine Tent.
Arabs in Atlanta, Family Portrait:
Coming from: Boston, DC, Atlanta, Seattle, Portland, Oakland, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Montreal... Iraq, Palestine, Libya, Tunisia, Morocco, Egypt, Algeria, Lebanon...